ve more
or less of the new life in them. I am sorry, however, to add that some
young theological friends of mine deny this. They say that many young
men preparing for the ministry give no other sign of piety. Young people
judge hastily and severely. As soon as I get over my first hurry, after
reaching home, I hope you will come and see me.... You speak of my
experience on my sick-bed as a precious one. To tell you the truth, it
does not seem so to me; I mean, nothing extraordinary. Not to want to
go, if invited, would be a contradiction to most of my life. But as I
was _not_ invited I realise that I am needed here; and I am afraid it
was selfish to be so delighted to go, horribly selfish.

* * * * *

III.

Change of Home and Life in New York. A Book about Robbie. Her Sympathy
with young People. "I have in me Two different Natures." What Dr. De
Witt said at the Grave of his Wife. The Way to meet little Trials.
Faults in Prayer-Meetings. How special Theories of the Christian Life
are formed. Sudden Illness of Prof. Smith. Publication of _Golden
Hours_. How it was received.

Her return from Dorset brought with it a new order of life. The transfer
of her husband to a theological chair was almost as great a change to
her as to him. In ceasing to be a pastor's wife she gave up a position,
which for more than a quarter of a century had been to her a spring of
constant joy, and which, notwithstanding its cares, she regarded as one
of the most favored on earth. While in the parsonage, too, she was in
the midst of her friends; the removal to Sixty-first street left the
most of them at a distance; and distance in New York is no slight
hindrance to the full enjoyment of social intimacy and fellowship.
Several weeks after the return to town were devoted to the congenial
task of fitting-up and adorning the new home. Then for the first time in
many years she found herself at leisure; and one of its earliest fruits
was a selection of stray religious verses for publication; which,
however, soon gave way to a volume of her own. She was able also to give
special attention to her favorite religious reading.

The sharp trials and suffering of the previous years showed their effect
in deepened spiritual convictions, humility and tenderness of feeling,
but not in repressing her natural playfulness. At times her spirits were
still buoyant with fun and laughter. An extract from a letter to her
youngest dau